Dictionary.com defines nostalgia as:  

1. a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time…

Last night my better half invited me to a program at Akron Children’s Hospital called Hope Lights the Way, a celebration of hope and friendship.  Dedicated to those who have won and lost the fight against breast cancer, the evening involved a short service and then a walk through the hospital gardens where several hundred luminaries were lit, each one to commemorate one person’s fight against cancer.

Before digital and before film the world shot “neuro-chromes” and that’s exactly the format I chose to use last night.  I loved the sense of community and the common bond of friendship in the air as each attendee reflected on past moments with family members and friends.

My mother-in-law fought a brave battle many years ago.  She was one of my very best friends and as I sat there listening to the various speakers, I took an incredible trip down Nostalgia Lane.   The trip took me to not only memories of “Ma”, but to other friends I’ve lost over the years, but for whatever reason it wasn’t sad, but filled with a whole lot of smiles and great memories, each one a tribute to the legacy they left behind.

The point I want to make is that life is simply too short.   I don’t know about you, but I get too wrapped up in things that just don’t matter.  There’s that old line about “Don’t sweat the small stuff…well, it’s all small stuff!”     I’m having a great time this morning thinking about friends I’ve lost and friends who I speak with every day.  I have no idea what I’ll accomplish on this Wednesday, but whatever it is, it’s going to be inspired by my friends.

The definition of nostalgia talks about going back, but how about if we all use it in the present…and make it a tool for taking a few minutes to just reflect on how much our friends and family play a role in every day of our lives.   What a great day to just pick up a phone and call, NOT email, a friend!

Last night’s event finished with a wonderful moment when I found a luminary with my mother-in-law’s name on it, which Sheila had so thoughtfully made sure was placed with the others.    No camera, nothing to download on the computer, just a neuro-chrome of the moment!   Best of all, no issue with storage or corrupted files – just my own personal infinite gigabyte hard drive!